This disappointment adds to what has been an overly frustrating summer for Alan Stubbs and his team. They have already missed out on long-term target Tom Bradshaw, who instead signed for local rivals Barnsley.

After numerous exits, Rotherham are severely lacking depth in their squad. They only have 15 first-team players available for Saturday’s encounter against Wolves.

This means that a number of unused youth products such as Jerry Yates and Chris Dawson are set to receive a first-team opportunity.

Grant Ward is Mick McCarthy’s third summer signing after the arrival of Adam Webster for a fee believed to be around £750,000 from Portsmouth as well as Paul Digby on a free transfer from Barnsley.

Ipswich will be hoping to improve on their finish last season by making it into the top six. They already have a highly talented side and the addition of Ward will significantly aid their chances of challenging for promotion.

He is a great runner with the ball, with an ability to ease past his markers and he is known for his profound quality of striking the ball which was noted as he won the Goal of the Year award for Rotherham for his effort from 30 yards out against Burnley.

The 21-year-old has expressed his delight on his move to Ipswich as he targets the play-offs:

I have been on loan a few times and obviously came through the youth ranks at Tottenham and it’s a big decision for me to leave them but it felt the right time for me to go. Looking at the future, it would be nice to have a chance to play in the Premier League one day. Hopefully I can do that with Ipswich. We’ve got a good squad here and getting in the Play-Offs is the target. I’m here to play my part in that.

Meanwhile, Ipswich are keen to bring in Sullay Kaikai on loan from Crystal Palace after Mick McCarthy was there to watch Kaikai during Palace’s friendly against Wimbledon. The 20-year-old forward spent the majority of last season at Shrewsbury, scoring 12 in 26 appearances over two loan spells.

Rotherham on the other hand are close to announcing the signing of Kelvin Wilson on a free transfer after he was released by Nottingham Forest. The 30-year-old centre back should be officially presented as a Millers player in the next 24 hours.